Thursday 8 October 2015

Velley of Butterfly in Switzerland



“Petaloudes” in Switzerland is well known as “valley of Butterflies”, is located on the western side of the Greek island of Rhods, almost 25 KM away from the city near the Village Kalamonas. Well, Thousands of multicolor butterflies covering the entire landscape in a thick but delicate blanket at the end of May. The Petaloudes valley is home of Rhodes subspecies of the Jersey Tiger Moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis), who make their annual appearance after the rainy season. Therefore, in the rainy season, the butterflies habitually live in the Mediterranean thicket in the caterpillar stage feeding on foliage, and when the rainy season finished, the caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies.

So, as the dry season approaches, the butterflies naturally migrate, and travelling at night in search of humidity, following the water course, and end up in the valley. The aroma of Oriental Sweet gum trees prevailing in the valley actually attracted the butterflies.  Once they reach their endpoint, they’re settled lightly on the trunks of trees & rocks or whatever surface is available, in great numbers. As the butterflies like the humid habitat of the valley, they spend their entire summer season in this cool valley. Thus, they mate during the last weeks of August and early in September. Most females fly away from the valley, or in few cases they fly for over 25 kilometers, to lay their eggs in safe dark places, preferably among plants and bushes, and then die. Then in the next spring season the baby butterflies pop out of their cocoons in spreading throughout the surrounding area. Consequently in June they grow into full-blown butterflies, and then the heat and smell of the gum trees entices them back to the valley, and the entire cycle repeats all over again.

The Valley of the Butterflies is a unique natural Park, is also a nice place to walk, under the shade of the trees. Unluckily, the Petaloudes valley is open to tourists and the increased foot traffic is spraining the butterfly population. Unfortunately “Euplagia” has no stomach; in its place they entirely live on their body fat which they had stored during their preceding lives as caterpillars. Although visitors are cheered to visit the valley but they’re highly advised not to disturb the butterflies or make loud noises. 

Though continuous disturbance from visitors such as clapping or whistling startle the butterflies, and they become panic easily and forcing them to fly away habitually from their resting place. So, the activity consumes valuable energy that cannot be replenished, and countless butterflies run out of their energy and die before they could reproduce. The valley is one of the nature’s most beautiful gifts to Rhodes, a short drive inland with a scenic gorge is home to eye-catching valley. Without any doubt the valley of butterflies is worth a visit, with a lush green Valley and a small river running through it. The valley is beautifully arranged, with little wooden Bridges, stone, steps, and an uphill path which leads to the Monastery of the Virgin of Kalopetra.










Wednesday 7 October 2015

Pyramid Lake, The Largest Natural Lakes in the State of Nevada

Pyramid Lake is the geographic sink of the Truckee River Basin, fed by the Truckee River, which is mostly the outflow from Lake Tahoe, almost 64 km northeast of Reno. The Truckee River enters Pyramid Lake at its southern end and has no outlet, with water leaving only by evaporation, or sub-surface seepage. The lake name comes from the inspiring cone or pyramid shaped tufa formations found in the lake and along the shores. The stunning Pyramid Lake covers 125,000 acres, actually one of the largest natural lakes in the state of Nevada, in fact making it biggest remnant of ancient Lake Lahontan, the colossal inland sea that once covered most of Nevada. The Pyramid Lake has about 10% of the area of the Great Salt Lake, but it has about 25% more volume. The rainbow colors of Pyramid lake changes from blue to grey depending on the skies above. The Pyramid lake scenery is remarkable, surrounded by rare rock formations, have important role in the history of the Paiute Indian tribe also adds to its mystique and many myths and tales surrounding it.

These days, Pyramid Lake is part of the “National Scenic Byways Program” and the only byway in the country located completely within a tribal reservation. Tourists can get a sense of the Pyramid Lake’s significance to the tribe with a trip to the area of Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center. Therefore, the multi-purpose museum features more than a few exhibits and displays about the tribe’s culture and history. In 2010, Pyramid Lake designated as the first Preserve America Tribal Community in Nevada, which inspires and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy priceless cultural and natural heritage. Although, Pyramid Lake is widely acclaimed as North America’s most beautiful desert lake, it’s in fact the world class fishery that has brought Pyramid Lake worldwide fame. The pyramid lake salinity is about 1/6 that of sea water. Although clear Lake Tahoe forms the headwaters that drain to Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River delivers more turbid waters to Pyramid Lake after traversing the steep Sierra terrain and collecting moderately high silt-loaded surface runoff.

Pyramid Lake is one of the most valued assets of the Tribe and is entirely enclosed within the boundaries of the Reservation. Moreover, there’s lot of fun activities there, includes camping, boating, picnicking, water skiing, swimming and fishing. Moreover, fishing is a popular hunting ground at the Pyramid Lake even in wintery weather, where they can catch fish such as large & small-mouth striped bass trout, catfish, blue gill, and crappie. Most of Pyramid Lake's beaches are accessible only by boat because of the steep shoreline. Moreover, Pyramid Lake water levels vary every day because it’s provides regulatory storage for Castaic Power-plant. In the canyons where numerous canoes and rafts are seen, however, boating speed limits vary in parts of the lake, and limited to low speeds. Though, higher speeds for waterskiing are permissible on the lake's main body. In 1843, a gold discovery was made near Pyramid Lake and in the Santa Feliciana Canyon, just south of what is now Pyramid Dam. In 1973, Pyramid Lake and Dam completed. Pyramid Lake is part of the California Aqueduct, which is part of the California State Water Project.  A beautiful “Pramid Rock” is still standing just adjacent to the dam.Source: Charismatic Planet

Tuesday 6 October 2015

New Zealand; Most Beautiful Country in the World is better Known as Magical Kingdom



There’re only very few countries as gorgeous as New Zealand, which has become home of hobbits, Orcs, Ents, iceberg, remarkable mountains to a glacier, braided river, stunning lakes, and sleep in a wondrous treehouse. Though, from Wellington on the North Island to Cook Strait, one of the most dangerous and unpredictable stretches of water in the world, to Queenstown, described as the adventure capital of the world. In other words, it's a haven for bungee-jumpers and paragliders. 

But for those of us who like to breathe fresh air, rather than feel it whooshing past your ears, there are many other things to see and do. Simply, you’ll admire one of the world's most serene landscapes from a huge bed with sheets that had a higher thread count than a spider colony. Every possum squashed on the road is one less that's eating the indigenous birds and vegetation, the national bird, the kiwi, is most at risk, since it's a daft sort of animal with enormous nostrils, no sensible flight options and a penchant for building nests on the ground. Despite the fact that all of The Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand, to seems to be only one kingdom – a “magical kingdom”. Source: Dailymail

The Hobbit Tree House

Well, you don’t have to be amazed; actually this tree house is inspired by “The Hobbit”. This stunning tree house is set in the Black Hills a popular tourist hotspot famous for the gold rush, the Wild West town of Deadwood, and Mount Rushmore. Though, the hobbit house is part of the package when travelers book Chateau de Soleil, a 4,100 square foot holiday home owned by Lord of the Rings fans and hotel operators Gordon and Audrey Mack. For up to $675 a night, fans can live like Bilbo Baggins but with a lot more luxury. The Hobbit house is perched 16ft above ground level, 400 square feet, the tree house built between two pine trees features a gas fireplace, chill air conditioning, Cool fridge, flat-screen LED TV, two full beds, and seasonal running water.

So, all visitors make their experience even more authentic; can slip on pair of hairy hobbit slippers to wear when they are making dinner or just lounging around the self-catering hideaway. The Hobbit house, must be booked for three nights minimum, being charmed a summer rate of $675 a night, and little low in winter $595. But make sure, prices can climb up due to any special event, such as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Mr Mack, the owner of this property, actually engaged with hospitality industry for 20 years, bought the country home in 2012. And then later on, he and his wife decided to build the $70,000 tree house and model it on a hobbit hole. 

He’s so inspire with the chain of restaurant these days, as everybody has stayed at a chain hotel. Therefore, they want to give a unique & rare experience that tourist will remember in life. Hence, located in Boulder Canyon, the main house is spread over three floors, with a relaxing hot tub, three decks, three and a half bathrooms, and a Pac-Man-themed game room with arcade machines, and decking links the tree house to the four-bedroom Chateau de Soleil country house, and together they can accommodate up to 16 people.

Germany's Longest Rope Suspension Bridge 300 Feet Above a Canyon Floor

There are thousands of adventure lovers going to newly installed attraction in Western Germany to dizzying views of rope suspension bridge. At nearly 1,200ft in length this is Germany’s longest rope suspension bridge, about 300 feet above a canyon floor. The fearless holidaymakers are feeling great attraction to this rope bridge. The daredevil’s tourist crossed the newly erected rope suspension bridge, taking in stunning scenery high above the trees at Geierley canyon.

The selfie lovers can enjoy with plenty of spots available at bridge for perfect picture forest between the towns of Morsdorf and Sosberg, near Germany’s border with Luxembourg. However, it was the brainchild of local officials, who were considering for different ways to temptation more tourists to the region and support local businesses. The rope bridge idea was first proposed in 2006 but plans were abandoned after they were deemed infeasible. So, after five years, the project was resuscitated and feasibility was launched this time with better results.

Though the bridge is the main attraction, tourism bosses are using it to encourage four-mile hiking trails in the region. Moreover, after a contract was awarded to a Swiss building firm in Dec 2014, construction works started on 26 May and it finished in record time, with the bridge opening to thrill seekers 130 days later. It is estimated that that the bridge should draw 170,000 tourists annually, and officials are hoping 50,000 of them will be overnight guests who will stay at hotels or bed and breakfasts and help to pour an additional €2.5million into the local economy.